PAPPONE SETS THE TREATY CUP STANDARD

    Peter Farrell

    The opening round heats of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup Open 350 featured on last night’s card at Limerick and Tinahue Pappone set the standard as he made a blistering return to two-bend action

    Kindly sponsored by Chris Flanagan, the Treaty Cup never fails to produce and the first round heats lived up to expectancy with several top-class performances, including a double for the kennel of Pat Buckley. However, it was the John Fox-owned Tinahue Pappone that went quickest and he stopped the clock in a rapid 18.57 on route to a comfortable success. Drawn in one, the 2/1 chance was headed only by Portdrine Magic in the early yards, however, Fox’s charge quickly breezed past his rival to assert. Running a super opening bend, the son of Toker Forest and Tinahue Lady opened a commanding three length lead entering the home straight and despite the best efforts of the staying-on Whizzing Donald, ‘Pappone’ stayed on stoutly to cross the line with two lengths in hand. As mentioned, the time was a best of session 18.57 .5f.

    BUCKLEY DOUBLE

    Elsewhere in the heats, there was a double for the kennel of Pat Buckley as both Road Exile and Southwind Wild claimed their respective heats.

    The fastest of the duo was the evergreen Road Exile as he won for an incredible thirty-third time. R.A Colwell’s tracker was sent off as the 4/5 favourite and he broke well from five despite being headed by the classy Lonesome Pete in two. The duo served up a thrilling battle thereafter as Road Exile (Droopys Sydney - Trusted Exile) swung wide off the final bend, however, he proved too strong up the hill to see off Lonesome Pete by one length. The time was 18.67 .5f.

    Prior to that, Southwind Wind returned to Limerick to again win in style for William Wood. A brilliant winner on Kirby final night, the 5/4 jolly didn’t break too fluently from five and he was headed by several runners including Yahoo Puff early on. However, after the latter drifted off the opening bend, Southwind Wild slipped up the inside to quickly manufacture daylight. Staying on strong thereafter, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Mucky Harbour was three and a half lengths too strong for Highview Ben crossing the line. The time was 18.70 .5f.

    IN OTHER HEATS

    In heat two, Healys Legacy made it back-to-back wins after a recent eye-catching display around Dundalk. Trained by Vincent McKenna for the Garrafrauns-Syndicate, ‘Healys’ was only moderately into stride from trap three, however, he was the eye-catcher on the run-up as he stormed up the inside to take charge. In doing so, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Lucia, a 3/1 chance, powered up the straight to put three and a half lengths between himself and Tally Ho Rose in second. The time was 18.73 .5f.

    The competition got off to a swashbuckling start as Petshop Farewell upset the odds to win at big odds of 8/1. Trained by Maurice Organ for Pat Morrissey, ‘Petshop’ was bidding to make it three wins from his last four starts and he set his stall out early with a smart exit from six. In turn, this allowed the son of Ballymac Best to sweep the opening bend and hold all the aces. Gundy showed eye-catching speed to narrow the gap in second, however, the damage was done early as Petshop Farewell crossed the line with one length to spare. The time was an impressive 18.62 .5f.